Criminal Justice and Corrections at Middle Georgia State University

Middle Georgia State's Criminal Justice program costs $30,500 in median debt but leads to earnings that actually decline slightly over the first four years—from $35,930 to $35,168. This puts graduates below both the national median ($37,856) and Georgia's median ($37,330) for this degree. Among Georgia's 37 criminal justice programs, this ranks near the 40th percentile, meaning roughly 60% of comparable in-state options produce better earnings outcomes. The 0.85 debt-to-earnings ratio isn't catastrophic, but it means graduates start with debt nearly equal to their first year's salary, which limits financial flexibility.

What's particularly concerning here is the earnings trajectory. Most graduates see some salary growth as they gain experience, but these numbers show a slight decline instead. Whether that reflects the specific law enforcement and corrections careers these graduates pursue or other labor market factors, it signals limited upward mobility in the early career years. Georgia has several programs producing dramatically better outcomes—Herzing Atlanta and Reinhardt graduates earn nearly double what Middle Georgia State graduates make.

For families considering this program, the question is whether the lower debt load (below the national median) compensates for the below-average earnings. If your child is committed to criminal justice and needs an accessible entry point (100% admission rate suggests open access), this provides a degree without crushing debt. But if better-paying career outcomes matter, exploring other Georgia options—or questioning whether this field aligns with financial goals—makes sense before committing.